Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was certainly a divisive movie, to say the least. Some loved it, believing JJ Abrams and the bigwigs at Disney managed to create a brilliant and fitting end to a story that spanned over 40 years. Others weren't so convinced, however, accusing them of playing it too safe and failing to make an ambitious finale.
One of the most controversial aspects of the movie was the decision to turn to Palpatine, who seemingly died at the end of 1983's Return of the Jedi. We now take a look at five things that were good about the Sith Lord's return - and five that weren't.
Good: It Generated Excitement
Star Wars was in a pretty bad place in the months leading up to The Rise of Skywalker's release. Solo: A Star Wars Story didn't hit the heights at the box office that many were expecting.
But then things picked up again, with the first trailer for Episode XI generating much excitement - because of Palpatine's return. Suddenly those turned away were intrigued for the final movie of the saga and the Sith Lord certainly worked when it came to getting people talking about the blockbuster on social media and online.
Bad: He Was Dead
While Palpatine's return helped to generate excitement for the movie, that's not to say everybody was happy.
After all, we'd already seen him die once before at the end of Return of the Jedi, when Darth Vader threw him down the chute of the second Death Star in order to save son Luke Skywalker from a terrible fate. Bringing back a brilliant villain is all very well and good but slightly less impactful when you consider everybody had already said their goodbyes to the character.
Good: It Was Good To See Him Again
Despite everybody saying goodbye to the character of Palpatine many years ago it was still brilliant to see him back and in the thick of things - particularly with Ian McDiramid, who portrayed him in the prequels and Return of the Jedi, reprising his role.
Palpatine was just as evil and abhorrent as he was during the older movies of the saga and it was entertaining seeing him controlling things from afar, just as he always did. His return helped enhance the characters of Kylo Ren and Rey, as well, which was an added bonus.
Bad: He Did Nothing New
Towards the end of The Rise of Skywalker, Palpatine was urging Rey to strike him down. Just as he urged Luke Skywalker to do the same many years ago.
It was undoubtedly thrilling seeing the Sith Lord back on the big screen after all these years but he did nothing new. Sending others to do his dirty work? Check. Urging someone to kill him in order to take his place? Check. Don a fancy wardrobe to show just how stylish he is? Check. You get the picture. Basically this was a rehashed Palpatine - one who did the same things as before.
Good: It Brought The Saga Full Circle
George Lucas once famously said that Star Wars was like poetry, because it rhymes. And, whether you disagreed with the decision to bring Palpatine back into the fold or not, it certainly did a good job at bringing the entire saga full circle.
The baddie orchestrated the fall of the Jedi during the prequels and spearheaded the Empire during the original three movies. That he was behind Ben Solo's fall to the dark side and Rey's creation means that he was in control throughout all nine Skywalker Saga movies - which is something we can definitely appreciate.
Bad: The Lack Of Explanation In The Movie
Thanks to the Rise of Skywalker novel, we know that Palpatine DID die many years ago - but that the version we see in the movie is actually a clone. It also explains how he was able to do this (essence transfer) and also ties up loose ends regarding Rey's father (no, Palpatine didn't find a lover, he was just another failed clone.)
The problem is we've had to read this - when it should have been explained in the movie itself. That it didn't sparked much fury and backlash online and, given how it would have taken just two minutes to relay this information, we can't help but feel the critics had a point.
Good: He's An Upgrade On Any Other Villain
Darth Vader fans may disagree but, when it comes to Star Wars villains, Palpatine is the best of the bunch.
He's the most-evil, vile, inhumane bad guy in the franchise and his return immediately upped the stakes for Episode IX. It made everything feel that bit more threatening and vital and Palpatine, while we liked Supreme Leader Snoke in The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, easily represented an upgrade.
Bad: He Didn't Use A Lightsaber
For years, everybody thought of Palpatine as something of a one-trick pony, capable of using force lightning - and that's it. However, the prequels and Clone Wars TV series showed that he was also outstanding with a lightsaber, capable of rivalling any Jedi who stands in his way.
So it feels somewhat of a missed opportunity that we didn't get to see Palpatine use the iconic weapon - especially when Rey and Ben Solo both had their own lightsabers ignited at some point. A three-way fight would have been exhilarating to watch but, unfortunately, fans didn't get to see that happen.
Good: It Fleshed Out His Character
Palpatine's return certainly helped flesh out his character, giving him a son who would later conceive Rey, making the Jedi Knight the villain's granddaughter.
It also changes the way you now watch the older movies and the originals in particular. He seems that bit more chilling knowing that he'd put contingencies in place in order to escape death, even when it seems a given. There is, though, a big caveat to that...
Bad: Anakin's Sacrifice Is Undone
The biggest complaint of the lot is that, by bringing Palpatine back into the fold, Disney have somewhat undone the sacrifice of Anakin Skywalker at the end of Return of the Jedi.
Anakin's big gesture is what has made him such an icon. He fell to the dark side but, at the very last minute, re-embraced the light in order to save his son and bring peace to the galaxy, Unfortunately, it now seems Skywalker's greatest act only delayed Palpatine. He'd still return, over 30 years later, lessening the impact of his death the first time around.
